AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN

Evening Star, Issue 22202, 3 December 1935, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN

MEETING TO-DAY MORE IDLE VESSELS EXPECTED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, December 2. ' expected that six additional vessels will.be drawn into the shipping dispute to-night or early to-morrow. The crews of the following are to give notice:—Era, Kowarra, Period, Kim, Manunda, and Canberra. A large meeting of seamen is being Jield to-morrow to decide the future policy and organisation. It is understood that ecorts will be made to induce the men to return to work pending application to the court for variation of the clauses of the new award to which objection is expressed. Prior to the arrival of the Niagara to-day the volunteer members of the crew were taken oft* in a launch down, the harbour, so that they would not be 'brought into contact with members of the Seamen’s Union at present on Strike. BRITISH PRESS COMMENT LONDON, December 2. The City editor of ‘ The Times,’ commenting on Australian labour troubles, expresses the opinion that the outlook is particularly embarrassing in view of the forthcoming opening of the new vheat season. “ Perhaps the most hopeful feature is that continuance of the dispute would so gravely affect industry that the Government may be expected to make every possible effort to secure a resumption of sailings. Shipowners cannot adequately counter the prospect of a continuance of additional rates, owing to the possibility of indefinite delay. Accordingly, they are bound in self-defence to avoid arranging for ships to call there until they are assured that they will be not unreasonably detained!” . FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WATCHING POSITION CANBERRA, December 2. (Received December 3, at 1 a.m.) Replying to a question in the House of Representatives, the Acting Prime Minister (Dr Page) said the Government bad no intention immediately of intervening in the shipping dispute, but was carefully” watching the pfosjtion and would not hesitate to use its power if the trouble showed signs of continuing. EIGHTEEN VESSELS INVOLVED SYDNEY, December 3. (Received December 8, at 1.5 p.m.) Fourteen vessels in Sydney and four in Newcastle are now involved in the shipping strike. Crews totalling 1,292 are idle.